Roosters v Sharks: Big guns rested; Woods OK
With their participation in the finals confirmed, the Sharks can now start preparing for sudden-death football.
There is no better way to start building belief than to prove your worth against the back-to-back premiers.
The Roosters were scarily good at times in their crushing win over Newcastle last weekend, and need to keep winning to ensure a top-four finish.
Cronulla will still be without suspended pair Wade Graham and Chad Townsend.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Sharks
8th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Roosters: Trent Robinson on Friday said Boyd Cordner would not play against Sharks. Cordner is "feeling fine" but the club is taking a cautious approach, opting to give him an extra week off after his head knock last weekend. Angus Crichton comes into the starting side.
Hooker Jake Friend will also be rested and his place is taken by Freddy Lussick.
Poasa Faamausili and Drew Hutchison have been added to the bench.
James Tedesco is being rested with Joseph Manu at fullback while Mitch Aubusson will play his club record-breaking game at centre.
Prop Siosiua Taukeiaho has also been given a spell with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning in his place. Lindsay Collins will start in the front row. Daniel Fifita and Matt Ivukalu were the last players cut before kick-off.
The Roosters have scored 100 points across their past two games at the SCG.
Sharks: Teig Wilton dropped off the interchange bench on Friday and his place is taken by Scott Sorensen. Billy Magoulias was the other player cut 24 hours before kick-off. Bryson Goodwin and Braydon Trindall were trimmed from the reserves an hour prior to kick-off.
Prop Aaron Woods dislocated a finger against the Warriors but should be fine. The Sharks will make their first appearance at the SCG since 1987.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Round 19 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph ManuFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh MorrisCentre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Mitchell AubussonCentre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett MorrisWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Connor Tracey
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-Uele
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 14 Freddy LussickHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Siosifa Talakai
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Isaac LiuLock for Sharks is number 13 Toby Rudolf
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Jack Williams
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill WilliamsInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Andrew Fifita
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Poasa FaamausiliInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Royce Hunt
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Sharks is number 18 Scott Sorensen
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Siosiua Taukeiaho v Braden Hamlin-Uele. Taukeiaho has forced his way into the conversation of who is the best prop in the NRL. Hamlin-Uele could one day join him in that elite company. Matching it with the Roosters star will only enhance his reputation as a player with a bright future.
Stat attack
Despite have scored more tries, and points, than any other team, the Roosters are 13th in set completions. While some may suggest this is an area they could improve on, it is also worth wondering if this is a price they are willing to pay for spreading the ball when in attack and taking chances.
Five of the top six sides in the NRL in set completion won't be playing in the finals.
